A man in his 20s died today after the car he was driving hit a tree in Downham.

The Ford Orion car was negotiating a right-hand bend in Castledon Road when it hit a large oak tree.

The driver and passenger, another man also believed to be aged about 20, were rushed to Basildon Hospital with serious head injuries.

The driver died at about 6am today. The passenger is said to be in a stable but critical condition.

Both men are believed to be local.

A special rescue tender from Leigh and a fire appliance from Wickford were called shortly after 11pm and spent more than 30 minutes cutting the wreckage open to get the two men out.

A spokesman for Essex Fire and Rescue Service said the car was in a ditch when they arrived.

A doctor and a paramedic were called to the accident.

No other vehicles are believed to have been involved other than the car the two men were travelling in.

Police closed the road for more than two hours while they begun their investigations last night.

The details of the dead man will not be released until a formal identification has been carried out by the next-of-kin.

Anyone who saw the car either before or during the accident should contact Laindon Traffic Police on 01268 541312.

A woman who died after a road accident in Billericay has been named.

Elizabeth Shoobridge of Belgrave Road, Billericay, died after a smash with a car outside the Somerfield store at Queens Park Road on Monday evening.

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